November 13

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.  1 Peter 2:9
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​Memorize this Verse: (Cover the verse text and using just the first letters of each word try to recite the entire passage.)
​​9. B Y A A C G A R P A H N A P P T Y S S F T P O H W H C Y O O D I H M L

Notes on verse:

“Chosen generation”: Peter uses Old Testament concepts to emphasize the privileges of New Testament Christians (Deut. 7:6-8). In strong contrast to the disobedient who are appointed by God to wrath (verse 8), Christians are chosen by God to salvation (1:2).

“Royal priesthood”: Priesthood of Believers. Every believer has the privilege and responsibility of direct access to God. In the Old Testament, the family of Aaron was designated as a priesthood to God. In the New Testament that priesthood becomes the birthright of every Christian. Like their Old Testament counterparts, believer-priests have the privilege of access to God.

The concept of a kingly priesthood is drawn from (Exodus 19:6). Israel temporarily forfeited this privilege because of its apostasy and because its wicked leaders executed the Messiah. At the present time, the church is a royal priesthood united with the royal priest, Jesus Christ.

A royal priesthood is not only a priesthood that belongs to and serves the king, but is also a priesthood which exercises rule. This will ultimately be fulfilled in Christ’s future kingdom (1 Cor. 6:1-4; Rev. 5:10; 20:6).

With privilege comes a twofold responsibility, sacrifice and intercessory prayer. The sacrifices of the believer are his body (Rom. 12:1-2), his praise to God (Heb. 13:15), his substance (Rom. 12:13), and his service (Heb. 13:6). The Christian ought also to pray on behalf of others (Col. 4:12).

“Should shew forth the praise of him who hath called you”: Not only are New Testament believers a “chosen generation” and a “royal priesthood” to show forth His praises now, but they will continue to hold these “offices” in the everlasting future as well (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14; Revelation 1:6; 5:10).

This is one of the most encouraging Scriptures in all the Bible. God has chosen us to become His sons. This generation of people upon whom the end has come, are chosen of God to be priests unto Him. We are His family. Jesus is High Priest, and we are priests.

All believers in Christ are of the house of Israel. Christians are the spiritual house of Israel. Jews are the physical house of Israel. Christians are this holy nation. We are a peculiar people as far as the world is concerned. We are separated unto God. The marvelous Light is Jesus.

Before we come to Christ, we are walking in darkness. When Jesus takes up habitation inside of us, we are filled with His Light. He is the Light of the world. When we are filled with Jesus, we have all Light dwelling within us.

TODAY'S BIBLE READING

November 13
Today's Bible Reading Plan selections can be found below. If you don't have a Bible with you, just click the references to read each passage online:

Old Testament
Ezekiel 33-34  —  8.0 minutes
Job 12  —  4.0 minutes

New Testament
John 10:22-42  —  4.0 minutes
1 John 2:24-29  —  2.0 minutes

Total Average Read Time — 18.0 minutes